Rebecca Kuhn finds herself caught up in the problems of another race: a race indigenous to a planet 50 light years from Earth which comprises diverse cultures sharing the same fundamental problem. But what exactly is their problem? How can Rebecca help, and what is the mysterious occupation of a Zec'fr? The answers to these questions initiate drastic changes both to Rebecca's concepts, and to her life, as she finds herself embroiled in the concerns of two of the planet's major cultures. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Rebecca's disappearance provokes a murder hunt and the investigation of a multi-million pound computer fraud . . ."